Marc Bircham, hidden by Owls defender Lee Bullen, stoops
to power home the Hoops equaliser

Rangers rode their luck to grind out a draw in a gritty encounter at Hillsborough.

Marc Bircham's fearsome header on the stroke of half time proved priceless, as Gary Waddock's side weathered a second half storm to leave the Steel City with a plucky point.

The Hoops midfielder - who was recalled to the starting line up after missing the home clash with Wolves due to illness seven days earlier - stooped to head home Lee Cook's 43rd minute free kick.

Earlier, the Owls were ahead on 12 minutes, courtesy of Deon Burton's close range strike.

The Jamaican international notched from inside the six yard box, after Glenn Whelan's sublime through ball from midfield cut open the entire Hoops defence.

Hoops custodian Paul Jones was the hero of the hour during the second period, producing five top-drawer saves to keep the hosts at bay.

Rangers threatened sporadically, with Cook calling Scott Carson into a neat save at his far post, but it was the home side who were left licking their wounds at full time, as the realisation of their relegation dog-fight started to hit home.

Rangers Caretaker Manager Gary Waddock recalled midfield pair Steve Lomas and Bircham, with Richard Langley and Stefan Bailey the unlucky duo to miss out.

Wednesday included recent loan signings Carson and Mikkel Bischoff, who joined from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively on Friday.

Rangers were on the front foot almost immediately, with Cook's out-swinging cross narrowly evading the on-rushing Paul Furlong.

On two minutes, Gareth Ainsworth's right foot curler from fully 25 yards forced Carson into a splendid stop, just when the ball seemed destined to nestle into the roof of the net.

Play quickly switched to the other end, where Burton evaded his marker, only to see his powerful header superbly tipped round by Paul Jones.

The Owls were winning the midfield battler early on and when Yoann Folly played a clever one-two with Marcus Tudgay, Matthew Rose was called into a terrific last ditch cover tackle to thwart the Southampton loanee from getting his shot away.

Dan Shittu required treatment for a facial injury, before the Owls took the lead on 12 minutes.

Whelan's deft through ball from the middle of the park was weighted to perfection and Burton nipped in to apply the finishing touch past the exposed Jones from the edge of the six yard box.

Cook was beginning to have an impact as the half wore on, getting free of his marker on more than one occasion, only for his final ball to go missing all too often.

Chris Brunt, who Waddock had earmarked as a danger-man before the trip North, broke free on 21 minutes, but Shittu was in the right place at the right time to divert the ball for a corner.

New signing Bischoff marked his Owls debut with a booking for a lunge on Furlong on 23 minutes, much to the dismay of the home crowd, who thought their man took the ball.

Mauro Milanese was getting forward to good effect, with his searching left sided cross narrowly evading Furlong at the front post in the 27th minute.

Ainsworth's speculative 30 yard volley was easily held by Carson on the half hour, but it was Wednesday who continued to force the initiative, with Brunt and Burton at the heart of their positive display.

Rangers drew level on the stroke of half time when Cook's superb in-swinging free kick was met by Bircham's powerful glancing header at the near post. Carson stood no chance, as the ball nestled in the top corner of the net to the delight of the travelling Hoops faithful.

Paul Jones pulls off another marvellous point blank save

Jones was Rangers' saviour a minute into the second half, firstly tipping away Tudgay's point blank strike, before flinging himself to his left to deny Burton from the edge of the penalty box.

Seconds later, the Welsh stopper was at it again, twice denying Tudgay with what can only be described as world class saves, before Folly's follow up cannoned off the crossbar to safety.

The Owls continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and when Lee Bullen out-foxed Cook on the right flank, Burton arrived bang on cue only to head straight at Jones.

There was simply no respite for the visitors, as the Owls - backed by a fanatical home crowd - continually forced the Superhoops to defend in numbers.

Burton headed wide from ten yards after fine wide play from O'Brien, before Cook's bending set piece was tipped to safety by Carson with the match approaching the 70 minute mark.

Kevin Gallen in the thick of the action at Hillsborough

Rose judged his tackle on Burton to perfection just as the former Pompey striker seemed poised to test Jones yet again, while at the other end, substitute Langley ballooned his left footed shot well wide of the post.

As the home side became increasingly frustrated, it was referee Andy D'Urso who bore the brunt of their annoyance.

Both sides went in search of a winner, but despite five minutes of added time, it ended all square.

Sheffield Wednesday: Carson, Bullen, Folly, Coughlan, Whelan, O'Brien, Brunt (Best 83), Burton, Bischoff (Simek 83), Gilbert, Tudgay (MacLean 76).

Subs: Adamson, Hills.

Goals: Burton 12

Bookings: Bischoff 23, Burton 80

QPR: Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Rose (Evatt 90), Milanese, Ainsworth, Bircham, Lomas, Cook (Langley 69), Gallen, Furlong (Baidoo 86).

Subs: Royce, Bailey.

Goals: Bircham 43

Referee: A D'Urso

Attendance: 22, 788